Road test: 2014 Porsche Panamera 4S

Road test: 2014 Porsche Panamera 4S

Some people don't like the Panamera's looks, but we'll let the sales decide.

Handout, Porsche

The 2014 Porsche Panamera 4S’s exterior styling has been controversial since day one due to its unique hatchback design.

Russell Purcell

The rear of the Panamera features a larger rear window and elongated taillights.

Russell Purcell

The Panamera can now be equipped with a rear camera system with Park Assist.

Russell Purcell

The passenger compartment of the Panamera 4S features room for four adults and a modern design.

Russell Purcell

All the gauges, and the majority of the controls, are within easy reach of both hand and eye. As well, seating positions have been designed for spirited driving and comfort.

Russell Purcell

Overview All-wheel-drive, four-seat luxury sedanPros More powerful, more luxurious, and more fuel efficient.Cons Only offers seating for fourValue for money GoodWhat would I change? Exhaust note is somewhat anemic

When the Panamera debuted to much fanfare in 2010, it helped Porsche establish itself as a major player in the full-sized luxury sedan category.

This was new territory for Porsche AG, as the German boutique brand had largely made its name selling sports and GT models designed to appeal to the enthusiast driver and those consumers looking to make a bold statement about their personality. Following after the phenomenally successful Cayenne SUV, the Panamera would emerge as a sales champion for the company, as customers were smitten by the car’s unique styling, innovative design, and impressive performance.

For 2014, the five-door, four-seat Panamera sedan has been given a mid-cycle refresh inside and out. The Panamera’s exterior styling has been controversial since day one due to its unique hatchback design, but the car’s long, low, and wide shape has been retained. Despite the criticism, its aerodynamic body cuts a distinctive profile that has garnered a substantial following.

2014 Porsche Panamera S

The front and rear fascias have been sculpted to improve airflow and give the car a slightly smaller appearance, and elongated lighting components, enlarged air intakes, a wide grille, and a larger rear window help sell the effect to the eye.

The 2014 Panamera 4S features an all-new, twin-turbocharged, 3.0-litre V6 under its long hood. This marvel of engineering puts out a healthy 420-horsepower and 384 lbs.-ft of torque — enough power to haul the executive express from 0-100 km/h in a startling 4.8 seconds. Both of these numbers best the performance stats of the 4.8-litre V8 engine that this compact unit replaces, and the new V6 is also 18 per cent more fuel efficient due to the use of direct fuel injection and variable valve timing.

The 4S comes fitted with Porsche’s phenomenal seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission, which is blindingly fast, and designed to allow the driver to extract the most from the engine’s wide power band.

2014 Porsche Panamera.

Placing a heavy foot on the gas pedal will produce a very linear throttle response as the turbos spool up quickly, and torque seems to be readily available at all legal speeds as you flick through the gears using the column mounted paddles.

When left to operate on its own accord, the PDK transmission works effectively to make gear selections that will optimize fuel efficiency. In a further bid to improve fuel efficiency and reduce unwanted emissions, Porsche engineers have fitted the Panamera 4S with an auto start/stop function as standard equipment.

If I had one complaint, it would be that the exhaust note produced by this new package is rather anemic. Gone is the ear-tickling rumble of a big, naturally aspirated V8, and in its place is a subdued roar that is barely able to penetrate the walls of the well-insulated passenger compartment.

2014 Porsche Panamera.

The Panamera 4S features a well-sorted all-wheel-drive system (Porsche Traction Management) that works invisibly to ensure that the wheels and tires are achieving optimal levels of traction whatever the road surface or weather conditions. This is the same system that is found in the Panamera GTS and Turbo models, and it has proven very reliable since its introduction.

What sets this car apart from its more traditional rivals is the fact that for such a large automobile, the Panamera handles like a sports car. When pushed to its limits, the 4S tracks straight and true, and body roll is minimal. Much of this roadholding magic can be attributed to the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) which allows the driver to finely tune the suspension and sway bars to best suit the driving conditions and intentions of the driver. When operating the car in Sport (or Sport Plus) mode, the engine mapping and gearbox become optimized for high-performance rather than fuel efficiency.

The Panamera is luxurious for all four passengers.

The 4S provides luxurious seating for four, and all seating positions have been designed for spirited driving as well as for comfort. The two rear seats mimic the fronts — and I found them spacious enough for my six-foot-two frame. If you still feel the need for more room to stretch out in the passenger compartment, the company now offers an Executive model, which has been stretched 15 centimetres to deliver near limo proportions to the rear cabin.

The arrival of the Panamera brought Porsche a thoroughly modern interior design layout that has now trickled throughout the company’s fleet of models.

The refresh is subtle, but the wide centre console has been retained. This is home to a seemingly endless array of controls and buttons, but their placement makes them highly visible and easy to reach. The car’s shift lever features a comfortable grip, but I expect most buyers will opt for the optional sport steering wheel fitted with quick-action shift paddle controls.

Some people don’t like the Panamera’s looks, but we’ll let the sales decide.

The driver will appreciate that all the gauges, and the majority of the controls, are within easy reach of both hand and eye. Their use quickly becomes intuitive, which allows you to focus your attention on navigating this sleek sedan through urban sprawl, or exploring your favourite back country roads.

My test unit featured the upgraded Bose audio system, and the latest navigation system which utilizes a seven-inch LCD screen. The centre armrest features a 12-volt power port as well as an auxiliary input plus a USB port for connecting portable electronic devices.

The Panamera 4S will probably be a favourite with Canadian buyers, as this model has been designed with a focus on all-season performance, enhanced comfort, and operating efficiency.